Curriculum

The following represents a basic outline of areas of study critical to the conversion process. Individual batei din may provide other additional materials. A specific course of study will be overseen by your sponsoring rabbi.

I. Shabbat:

You should be familiar with both the positive requirements of Shabbat (preparations before Shabbat, candle lighting, kiddush – sanctification over wine – and havdalah – blessings over wine recited at the conclusion of Shabbat- meals, prayers) as well as forbidden labors (and the concept and application of muktzeh – objects that may not be moved), with particular emphasis placed on how to warm up, prepare, and serve food on Shabbat. In addition to book knowledge, it is important to experience Shabbat meals with observant families and to observe practices of food preparation “in action”.

II. Yom Tov (Holidays):

a. Forbidden labors: You should know what dispensations for exist on Yom Tov for performing otherwise forbidden labors for food preparation.
b. Chagim: The specific mitzvot (commandments) and minhagim (customs) of every Yom Tov.
c. Fast Days: You should be familiar with all the fast days and the differences between Yom Kippur and Tisha B’av and the other fast days.

III. Jewish Calendar:

You should know all the Jewish months and what holidays and fasts fall in what months. You should be familiar with calendar periods like sefirat haomer (Counting of the Omer) and the Three Weeks.

IV. Kashrut:

You should be knowledgeable about what makes food kosher (kosher animals/birds/fish, ritual slaughter, forbidden mixtures, milk and meat, the prohibitions related to consuming bugs) and how to identify reliably certified kosher products for sale and kosher establishments. It is also important to be familiar with the basic principles of milk and meat and forbidden mixtures and to know what standard questions come up in a kitchen and when a rabbi should be consulted. You should also be familiar with the basics of tevilat keilim (immersing utensils), bishul akum (food cooked by non-Jew), stam yeinam (wine touched by a non-Jew), especially as may affect interactions with non-Jewish blood relatives, hafrashat challah (separating dough), and be aware of the requirements of tithing in Israel.

V. Prayers and blessings:

You should be familiar with the structure of the siddur, both for weekday and Shabbat services, and with blessings that are said on a regular basis. You will be expected to pray daily; men are expected to pray the three daily prayers and, barring extenuating circumstances, to attend communal prayer services whenever possible. Candidates should know what brachot are recited on what foods and should be able to recite the brachot recited prior to eating foods by heart..

VI. Family purity and modesty:

Female candidates that are not post-menopausal should be instructed (by a woman) in taharat hamishpacha. Male candidates should be instructed in the relevant areas as well. Both men and women should be instructed about the philosophy of tznius and the standards of dress that are normative in their community.

VII. Jewish life cycle:

You should be familiar in broad terms with Jewish law and ritual as pertains to childbirth, marriage, and mourning.

VIII. Hebrew:

The expectation is that you will have a basic ability to read Hebrew in a way that allows you to follow and participate in prayers with a siddur.

IX. Theology and philosophy:

You should be familiar with basic tenants of Jewish theology: the oneness of G-d, the Divine nature of the Torah, the binding nature of the mitzvos, Oral and Written law. You should also understand the nature of the halachic process and when to ask a question of a rabbi.